Low temperatures to last until Wednesday

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Low temperatures will continue throughout Taiwan until Wednesday, with temperatures expected to go to 10 degrees Celsius or below for regions north of Tainan, the Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said yesterday.

Under the impact of cold currents and clouds and precipitation moving from Southern China, Taiwan's temperatures dropped significantly yesterday. As of 6 p.m. yesterday, the lowest temperature, 7.2 degrees Celsius, was recorded in Hsinchu County, followed by 7.7 degrees Celsius in Xinwu Township of Taoyuan County and 7.7 degrees in Tamsui District of New Taipei City.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, low temperatures were also recorded in Taipei, Taichung and Chiayi, at 10.1 degrees, 10.4 degrees and 10.8 degrees respectively.

The CWB said that the recent precipitation has made the temperature drop further, reiterating that the cold weather will last until Wednesday. Regions north of Tainan, Yilan County, Kinmen County and the Matsu Islands are expected to see temperatures of 10 degrees or below, the CWB said.

The temperature will begin to climb on Thursday, but the temperatures will still stay relatively low, the CWB cautioned, suggesting that people should put on enough clothes to stay warm.

The CWB forecasts that higher precipitation will occur in some regions today and tomorrow. But the precipitation will decrease after Thursday.

Low temperatures are responsible for over 49 deaths in the past two days, according to a local news source.

Snow falls again on Yushan, the highest mountain of Taiwan, yesterday. Snow fell for half an hour on Sunday, and again at 6 a.m. on Monday. As of 9 a.m. yesterday, 8 centimeters of snow had accumulated. (CNA)